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Health and Sport Committee 22 September 2010

22 Sep 2010 · S3 · Health and Sport Committee

Item of business

Alcohol etc (Scotland) Bill: Stage 2

Scanlon, Mary Con Highlands and Islands Watch on SPTV

Since the Scottish National Party came to power as a minority Government, we have faced many difficult decisions, but no one could accuse the Scottish Conservatives of bringing party politics into those decisions. That would apply to our support for the SNP Government’s budget over the years. Nicola Sturgeon’s comments, therefore, are not what we have come to expect from her.No one in Scotland can be in any doubt about the worrying levels of alcohol consumption but, as parliamentarians, it is our duty to scrutinise evidence and decide whether the measures proposed will address the problem that Scotland faces. The evidence base for minimum pricing shows that it has not passed the test of reducing alcohol consumption. Minimum pricing would penalise responsible drinkers, harm the Scottish whisky industry and cost jobs. It is still questionable whether it complies with European law. As the cabinet secretary has said, it has been likened to the weather forecast, and anyone who lived in the Highlands last year will have little faith in that.The Conservatives accept that there is a relationship between price and alcohol consumption, but we reject the proposals for minimum pricing. As we have consistently said, alongside banning the sale of alcohol below cost price, the most effective method is to target problem drinks with extra tax and duty on a United Kingdom-wide basis. That would avoid responsible drinkers being penalised, would be more effective at reducing consumption and would stop the undoubted proliferation in cross-border and internet sales.There is no doubt that minimum pricing affects people on the lowest incomes most. Some problem drinks will be unaffected by the measure, and other drinks, such as whisky, will increase in price, proving that the SNP policy of blanket, indiscriminate minimum pricing is a blunt instrument. Far better that we target problem drinks and target help at problem drinkers than that we cost sensible consumers extra millions of pounds per year. As others have said in the committee, the majority of the extra revenue would go to retailers and producers, unlike a tax, which would bring revenue to the public purse at this difficult time for the economy.09:45 Common sense, economics and public opinion have all called time on the minimum price, and I have lodged amendment 1 to scrap the SNP’s blanket minimum pricing policy. My view is supported by many in the industry, such as Whyte & Mackay, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association and the Scottish Grocers Federation, as well as producers and retailers such as Morrisons and Sainsbury’s. I hope that it will be supported by other members.With regard to the sunset clause that is proposed in amendments 6 and 7, frankly, a lot of damage could be done to Scottish businesses in six to seven years and we are not willing to take that risk.In the Sheffield study, there is no evidence on the substitute effect, which would undoubtedly come into play as a result of the minimum price. There is also no evidence on cross-border sales or sale over the internet, which is the fastest-growing means of buying alcohol. There is no evidence on the effect of a minimum price on binge drinkers, and there is no evidence on the effect on people on low incomes. However, there is evidence from Finland that, when the price falls, demand for alcohol increases and that, when the price rises, consumption remains the same. I have heard nothing today, in evidence—both oral and written—or during our visits to Finland and France that tells me that a minimum price would reduce the level of alcohol consumption. Therefore, I stand by my amendment.

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The Convener (Christine Grahame) SNP

Good morning and welcome to the 26th meeting in 2010 of the Health and Sport Committee. I remind everyone to switch off mobile phones and other electronic eq...

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Health and Sport Committee 22 September 2010

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